Apparatus for applying decorative foil to the edge of sheet material



May 7, 1963 A CAHEN ETAL 3,088,238

APPARATUS FOR A1 PLYING DECORATIVE FOIL TO THE EDGE OF SHEET MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1960 'E'Hllllllll INVENTORS A rraen/sys A. CAHEN r-:1'AL 3,088,238 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DECORATIVE FOIL To THE EDGE OF SHEET MATERIAL 7 Filed July 15, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 7, 1963 I JNVENTORS ALFRED AHEN HEEMAN s. CAI-I! i 0 BY 1 J 777 flmzy A TTOPNYI y 1963 A. CAHEN ETAL 3,088,238

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DECORATIVE FOIL TO THE EDGE OF SHEET MATERIAL 4 Sheets Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1960 Z/Al y 7, 1963 A. CAHEN ETAL 3,088,238

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DECORATIVE FOIL TO THE EDGE OF SHEET MATERIAL Filed July 15, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 0 i U I I'JIHHMUIH- F F -/99- o J 7' o 99 /2O3 203 /8/ /8/ INVENTORS l g All F250 (/1 HEN j HeeMA/v .s. CAHEN BY 777 MM, 1Q? 5%.;

A TTO/B VEYS United States Patent Ohio Filed Juiy 15, 196i), Ser. No. 43,101 12 Ciaims. or. 41-37 This invention relates to a novel and improved method and to apparatus for practicing the said method for edge decorating or edge-gilding the sheet edges of books, cards and the like.

The instant apparatus has particular utility for use in practicing the method of edge gilding with metallic foil, such as for example gold leaf and the like, the sheet edges of a plurality of books which are contained as a 'compact group.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method for edge decorating or edgegilding the sheet edges of books and the like, and which method includes the concepts of preliminarily preparing the sheet edges to which the ecorative material is to be applied so that the same are substantially smooth and free of substances and/or materials foreign thereto, and to thereafter provide for the application of said decora tive material to said sheet edges.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of novel and improved apparatus especially designed for use in edge decorating or edge-gilding the sheet edges of books, cards and the like, and wherein said apparatus includes means for preliminarily preparing the sheet edges to which the decorative material is to be applied so that the same are substantially smooth, and means for securing said decorative material to said sheet edges.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method for edge decorating or edge-gilding the sheet edges of books, cards and the like, and which method includes the steps of abrasively preparing the sheet edges to which the decorative material is to be applied, and to subsequently secure, through application of pressure and heat, the decorative material to said sheet edges.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of novel and improved apparatus especially designed for use in edge decorating or edge-gilding the sheet edges of books, cards and the like, and wherein said apparatus includes means for sequentially abrasively preparing the sheet edges to which the decorative material is to be applied so that the same are substantially smooth, and means for securing, through the application of heat and pressure, the decorative material to said sheet edges.

Still another object of the present invention, is the provision of novel and improved apparatus especially designed for use in edge decorating or edge-gilding the sheet edges of a plurality of books, cards and the like contained in a compact group, and wherein said apparatus includes means for sequentially abrasively preparing the sheet edges to which the decorative material is to be applied so that the same are substantially smooth, and means for sequentially securing, through the application of heat and pressure, the decorative material to said sheet edges.

Additional objects md advantages of the method and apparatus for practicing the said method of the present invention for use in edge decorating or edge-gliding the sheet edges of books, cards and the like, will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which it pertains, and upon reference to the following disclosure of the inventive conice cepts thereof and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a plan view shown somewhat diagrammatically of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of sanding mechanism incorporated in the apparatus of FIG. 1, and looking approximately in the direction of the line 22;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of another sanding mechanism of said apparatus and looking approximately in the direction of the line 3-3 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of still another sanding mechanism of the apparatus of the present invention, and looking in the direction indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a is a view similar to FIG. 4 but with external parts removed to more clearly show underlying parts;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, of the sanding mechanism of FIG. 4 and looking approximately in the direction indicated by the line 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view of another embodiment of sanding mechanism adapted for use in place of the mechanism of F IG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a press mechanism incorporated in the apparatus of the present invention, and looking in the direction indicated by the line 77 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a second press assembly of the apparatus of the present invention, and looking in the direction as indicated by the line 88 in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 9 is an end view of a third press mechanism incorporated in the apparatus of the present invention, looking in the direction of the line 99 in FIG. 1.

Briefly, the method and the apparatus for practicing the said method of the present invention is intended to provide for the edge decorating or edge-gilding of the sheet edges of a plurality of books and the like, which are preferably disposed in a press or container in side by side relation as a compact group and in such manner that the sheet edges to be decorated define the longitudinal surfaces of said group identified hereinafter by the reference characters a, b and c. Said sheet edges are preliminarily prepared so as to be substantially smooth, said preparation being accomplished by sanding or otherwise abrasively treating said edges, after which the decorative material, such as gold leaf foil or the like, is applied to the same through the application of heat and pressure to thus form a bright and lustrous gilded surface.

With reference directed now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, one embodiment of apparatus is herein shown designed to practice the edge-gilding method of the present invention, and is seen to include a conveyor 3 defining a conveyance path along which a press or clamping frame 5, carrying a plurality of books B or the like, in side by side relation, is adapted to be conveyed, said press being preferably carried on a dolly 6.

A sanding mechanism 7 is disposed along the aforesaid conveyor 3 at a fabricating station #1 and is operable while said group is conveyed therealong to sand smooth the sheet edges of said plurality of books defining the aforesaid surface a of said group.

Subsequent to sanding the surface a of the group of books, the same is thus conveyed along said path to a second sanding mechanism at fabricating station #2 as is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 9, and which is operable to simultaneously sand smooth the opposed surfaces b and c of said group disposed on either side of the previously sanded surface a, said opposed surface edges being preferably located in spaced vertical planes during this interval.

Subsequent to the latter sanding operation, the group of books B is rotatably adjusted within the aforesaid press 5 so as to present one longitudinal corner of said group as is defined at the intersection of two adjacent sanded surfaces, for example surfaces a and b, which corner is then presented to sanding mechanism 11 disposed along the conveyor 3 in tandem relation to the mechanisms 7 and 9, being located at station #3 in the instant apparatus whereby the same is abrasively made smooth.

Thereafter, sarid group is again rotatably adjusted within its supporting press to locate the opposite longitudinal edge as is defined by the surfaces a and c whereafter said group is again presented to said corner sanding mechanism 11 to thus abrasively sand smooth said corner.

In this manner all of the sheet edges of the group of books B that are to be subsequently gild edged are preliminarily abrasively prepared and made smooth preparatory to the application of the metallic sheet foil to said edges.

If desired, the conveyance of the sanded group of books B as compactly contained within the press 5 may be continued so as to present the sanded surfaces :1, b and c of the same to a buffing apparatus 14 located at station #4 in the instant apparatus embodiment whereby the same may be thoroughly cleansed of any material foreign thereto after which a suitable sizing material may be applied to the sheet edges as thus prepared to enable the metallic foil to be more firmly attached thereto as will be understood.

After the group of books has thus been prepared, the same is thereafter presented to pressing apparatus, as is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 18, said apparatus being located at station #5 in the instant embodiment, whereby the aforementioned metallic gold foil is applied to one of the surfaces of said group of books B. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the pressing apparatus 18 is preferably disposed so as to straddle the conveyor, the latter in its present form at said station being identified by the reference numeral 3a.

Next, said group of books B is conveyed along the aforementioned conveyor 3a and successively presented to a second and third pressing apparatus 22 and 25 located respectively at stations 6 and '7 whereby the remaining surfaces of the aforesaid group of books B and the intervening corners therebetween are sequentially decorated with said metallic foil.

Thereafter, the group of books B .as disposed in the aforesaid press 5 is moved along the conveyor 3 and directed to a discharge table or platform 27 located at station #8 whereat the same are removed from said press and thus ready for binding or the like.

With specific reference now directed particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the instant embodiment of apparatus at fabricating station #1 is preferably seen to include a framework 31 having a pair of rail members 32 disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other to thus define a conveyance path, the latter being identified particularly in FIG. 1 by the reference character P.

Conveying means are provided to carry or move the clamping frame or press 5 and dolly 6 along said rail members 32, and for this purpose, said conveying means includes a suitable endless chain 34, and which preferably has its driving run 34a extending longitudinally along and slightly above the rail members 32, being driven from a suitable conventional sprocket drive (not shown) from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2, to thus provide for moving the aforesaid dolly 6 and supported press 5 along said rail members.

The dolly 6, as best seen in FIG. 2, is preferably of boxlike configuration having opposed side walls and end walls 6a and 6b respectively, said dolly rotatably mounting wheels 6c .at opposite ends thereof, to thus enable the same to be conveyed along the aforementioned rail members 32.

The plurality of books B to be gild-edged are disposed within the aforesaid contained 5 which is adapted to be supported upon said dolly, said books being arranged in side by side relation being resiliently retained in said press as a compact group by means of end clamp elements 5d. Said end clamps are preferably adjustable within the container 5 toward each other and include end plates 5e mounted on adjusting screws 5 which are adapted to lie against the opposed outside end surfaces of the group of books B, said end clamps being thus adjustable so as to exert preferably approximately 10 to 20 thousand pounds of force against the ends of said group of books to thus retain the same in a compacted condition. Suitable releaseably operable clamping means 35 as best seen in FIG. 3, may be provided on said dolly or carriage 6 to thus enable thesame to be releasably attached to the drive run of the endless chain 34a so as to be movable with the latter and thus carried along said rail members and conveyance path P. Said clamping means preferably includes a hook element 35a pivotally attached to the front end wall 6b and which is adapted to be swung downwardly so as to be inserted between adjacent links of said chain to thus releasably attach said dolly to the same.

As is previously mentioned, as the group of books B is conveyed along said path it is first presented to the sanding mechanism 7 whereby the uppermost surface a of said group is abrasively fabricated and thus made smooth.

For this purpose the endless chain 34 is disposed so as to pass centrally longitudinally through the aforesaid frame 31, the latter mounting sanding means operable to automatically abrasively sand said group surface a. As may be best seen in FIG. 2, the instant sanding mechanism 7 is seen to include a plurality of endless belts 38 formed of a suitable abrasive material, each of which is supported upon a pair of rollers 38a, the latter being rotatably supported within a carriage member, as is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 39.

The carriage 3? is adjustably mounted within the aforesaid framework 31, the latter preferably straddling the aforesaid rail members 32 of the conveyor 33 and extending upwardly therefrom so as to locate said carriage preferably vertically thereabove.

The endless belts 38 are preferably supported upon the aforesaid rolls 38a so as to extend substantially spaced transversely across said carriage, each of said pair of rolls being also preferably spaced longitudinally therealong and thus disposed so as to locate the lower or abrasing run of each of said belts substantially transversely of the aforementioned conveyor 3 and conveyance path P.

As may also be seen in FIG. 2, suitable drive means such as electric motors 44 may also be mounted upon the aforementioned carriage 39, the instant embodiment of apparatus preferably utilizing two of said drive motors, each of which is drivingly connected to alternate ones of said endless belts 38 being thus effective to propel said belts in such manner that adjacent ones of the same are moving in opposite directions to each other, the purpose for which will be hereinafter more apparent.

The carriage 39 is preferably vertically adjustably mounted within the aforesaid framework 31, to thus accommodate various sizes of books B, and for this purpose a shaft 46 is rotatably mounted at each end of the carriage 39 and is seen to mount a pinion 47 at each of its ends. A rack 48 is mounted adjacent each of the four corners of the framework 31 extending substantially in a vertical plane and located so as to mesh With one of said pinions 47. A drive gear 49 is likewise seen to be rotatably mounted on said carriage on one of the aforementioned shafts 46, said drive gear, in addition, meshing with a drive pinion 50, the latter being rigidly mounted upon a drive shaft 51. Said drive shaft, in turn, is seen to be rotatably journalled Within suitable journal bearings 52 located on one end of the aforementioned framework 31 and preferably mounts a hand crank 53.

With this assembly, it is intended that by proper manipulation of said hand crank, the carriage 39 and hence the endless abrasive belts 38 carried thereon may be selectively disposed in predetermined relation above the aforementioned rail members 32 and thus disposed so as to accommodate a predetermined size of book to be fabricated thereby. As will also be apparent, the pressure applied by the aforementioned abrasive belts to the surface a of said groups of books as the same is being sanded may likewise be selectively varied by positioning said carriage in predetermined spaced relation above the clamping frame 5.

The dolly 6 supporting the clamping frame is preferably continuously moved along the rail members 32 by the aforementioned endless chain 34 and as the same thus passes through the framework 31 the endless abrasive belts 38 are carried transversely there-across and are thus effective to abrasively sand the surface a thereof so as to present a substantially smooth surface for the subsequent application of metallic sheet foil thereto.

If desired, the aforementioned drive for the endless link chain 34 may be selectively reversibly actuated so as to move the upper drive run 34a thereof in the opposite direction to thus carry the dolly and clamping frame rearwardly through the instant sanding mechanism so as to present said surface a repeatedly to said abrasive endless belts 38.

As will be recalled, adjacent endless belts 38 are likewise moving in a reverse direction relative to each other. This arrangement is preferred so as to minimize or entirely overcome the possibility of any trailings from occurring as a result of the endless belts moving transversely across the surface a of the group of books B.

Subsequent to the dolly or carriage 6 passing through the framework 31 of the sanding mechanism 7 at fabricating station #1, the endless link chain 34 of the conveyor 3 is operable to move said carriage to the next adjacent sanding mechanism 9 at station #2 whereby the longitudinal surfaces b and c of said group of books B, located on opposite sides of the previously sanded surface a are thus disposed in position to be next fabricated.

With reference now directed particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, the sanding mechanism 9 is seen to include pairs of endless abrasive belts 60 mounted on each side of the aforementioned conveyor 3, the instant machine embodiment preferably using one pair of each of said belts directly opposite each other, and as best seen in FIG. 3 each of said belts is carried upon vertically spaced rollers 61 rotatably supported within frame 62 so as to locate its abrasing run 60a in substantially a vertical plane and facing toward the aforesaid conveyor 3.

Each of the supporting frames 62 is likewise seen to be rigidly mounted upon a platform 63.

Each of said platforms 63, in turn, is adjustably mounted upon a base 64 so as to be adjustable substantially transversely of the conveyor 3. For this purpose, a pair of rack elements 66 is seen to be attached to the underside of each platform 63, preferably on opposite transverse sides thereof, each of which is adapted to mesh with a suitable pinion 68, the latter being in turn carried upon a shaft 69. A hand crank 70 mounted on one end of said shaft is thus disposed so as to be readily manipulatable to selectively move the aforesaid platform 63 to and fro of the conveyor 3 to thus position said endless abrasive belts in abrasive relation to the adjacent surface b or c of the aforesaid of group of books B.

Each of said endless belts 60 is likewise seen to be drivingly connected to a suitable power source such as electric motor 72, so as to be automatically advanced by the same, the belts disposed on the same side of the conveyor 3 being preferably driven in opposite directions to each other as are the previously described abrasive belts 34 of the sanding mechanism 7, and for identically the same purpose.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the clamping frame 5 is placed on its one longitudinal side on said carriage, the group of 6 books B being adjusted therein so as to present the surface b and c to the abrasing runs 6% of the aforesaid belts 60.

With this assemblly, it will therefore be realized that as the carriage 6 is moved along the rail members 32 by the aforementioned conveyor chain 34 the surfaces b and c of the group of books B are progressively presented to the abrasing runs 60a of said belts whereby the same are abrasively sanded and thus made smooth.

After the sanding mechanism 9 has thus sanded the surfaces b and c, the group of books B is next presented to the corner sanding device 11 whereby the longitudinal edges of said group as are defined by and between the respective pairs of surfaces (11 and a) and (a and c) are likewise abrasively sanded and thus rounded to thereby provide a substantially continuous surface for the subsequent reception of the aforesaid decorative foil.

With reference now directed particularly to FIGS. 4, 4a and 5 the corner sanding mechanism 11 is preferably located in tandem relation along the conveyor 3 with respect to the sanding mechanisms 7 and 9 and is seen to include a framework as is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 80. Said framework comprises a plurality of upright pillars or guide rails 81, each of which is rigidly secured at its lower end to the supporting floor preferably on the outside of the rail members 32 of the aforesaid conveyor 3, said guide rails extending vertically upwardly therefrom, being braced at the upper ends thereof by means of interconnecting frame members 82.

A carriage 85 is seen to be :adjustably supported within the aforementioned framework and carries a sanding mechanism as is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 943, said carriage being preferably movably supported by and between the aforementioned guide rails 81 of said framework to thus locate the sanding mechanism 90 in a sanding position above the group of books B.

For this purpose, each of the aforesaid guide rails 81 is seen to be provided with a rack 91 extending longitudinally therealong.

The carriage, in turn, is seen to mount a shaft 93 at each of its ends, said shafts, in turn, mounting a pinion 94 at each of the opposite ends thereof so as to be rotatable with the same, each of said pinions being disposed so as to mesh with one of the aforesaid racks 91 on the guide rails 81.

A hand crank 96 is seen to be mounted on the end of a shaft member 97, the latter being suitably journably mounted on the carriage 85, said shaft member carrying a drive gear 98 which is adapted to be in meshing engagement with a transfer gear 101 carried on the extremity of the adjacent shaft 93.

With this assembly, it is intended that by rotating the crank 96, for example in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, the carriage and the supporting sanding mechanism carried thereon will be lowered toward the conveyor 3 and the aforesaid group of books B disposed therebelow. In like manner, with a clockwise rotation being given to said hand crank, the carriage 85 is likewise intended to be raised within the aforesaid framework 80 to thus carry the sanding mechanism 90 upwardly from said group of books B.

As previously mentioned, the instant sanding mechanism 90 is intended to be operable so as to abrasively sand the edges as are defined between the surfaces b and c, and a and c. To accomplish this, the sanding mechanism 90 is seen to include a pair of yoke members 103, mounted at the upper end upon a tie rod 104, the latter being rigidly secured cenertally to the aforementioned carriage 85 and extending longitudinally of the conveyor 3.

Each of said yoke members, as thus mounted, is seen to extend substantially vertically downwardly from the carriage 85, preferably in parallel spaced relation to each other.

A pair of cylindrical roll members 106, each being rubber as isindicated at 114b carried thereon.

7 iournalled upon a shaft member 107 is suspended between oppositely disposed leg parts 103a of said yoke members, said rolls being thus located in predetermined parallel spaced relation to each other.

A cylinder 109, as best seen in FIG. 4:: between the apex portions of said pair of yoke members 103, and an endless belt of suitable abrasive material as is indicated at 112, is adapted to be passed over said cylinder and the aforementioned roll members 136, said support thus defining a triangular suspension for said abrasive belt. The outer surface of the cylinder 109 is preferably covered with a suitable rubber-like material as indicated at 113 of somewhat tacky composition which is effective to prevent the endless abrasive belt from slipping over the same.

With reference directed now particularly to FIG. 4a,

the carriage 85 is intended to be lowered toward the group of books B held within the clamping frame as is aforementioned, so that each of the roll members 106 lies on opposite sides of the edge to be sanded. As said calriage is thus lowered, the endless abrasive belt 112 lying between said roll members will thus engage and overlie said edge being thereby stretched somewhat taut therebetween. As herein shown, the group of books B is positioned within the aforesaid frame 5 so that the edge as defined between the surfaces (a and b) is presented to and engaged by the abrasive belt 12.

A pressure block 114', being preferably of right angle configuration is' seen to be movably supported between the aforementioned yoke members 103, being biased, in addition, in a downward direction toward the underlying group of books B by means of suitable springs such as coil spring 116, the undersurface of said pressure block 114- preferably having a pliable material such as soft Said pressure block is intended to be operable to press the abrasive belt firmly against the edgeto be sanded, said soft pliable rubber material 114b being likewise operable to closelyconform to the configuration of said edge to thereby keep said belt in sanding engagement therewith.

The endless abrasive belt 112 as thus supported, is intended to be reciprocated over the underlying edge of said group of books. B, in substantially the same manner as if for example it was manually reciprocated.

For this purpose, a link element 119; as may be best seen in FIG. 4, is journalled at its one end on a pin 120, the latter, in turn, being. rigidly attached to a disk 121 mounted on a rotatable shaft member 122, the latter being carried within housing 123 mounted on the aforesaid carriage 85. The opposite end of the link element 119 is preferably seen to have a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 125 formed therein, one of which is intended to accommodate a suitable fastener 125a, the latter likewise being accommodated within one of a plurality of spaced apertures 126 formed in longitudinal spaced relation along one end of an arm element 128. Said arm element 128 is pivotally mounted at 127' to the aforesaidcarriage 85 and preferably carries a fragmental gear element 130 which in turn, is adaptedt-o mesh with a pinion 13 1 carried on the adjacent end of the aforesaid tie rod104'.

The, aforementioned shaft 122 carried within the housing 123 is preferably drivingly connected through a suitable belt and pulley drive as indicated at 132 to a suitable source of energy such as electric motor 133 whereby said shaft 122 is rotatably actuated.

With this construction, it will be realized that by rotating shaft 122, the pin 120 and connected end of link element 119 are carried through a circular orbit about said shaft, said circular movement at the opposite end of said link element 119- being'transposed into a reciprocatory type of movement which, as will be understood, is efiective to rock the segmental gear 130 and meshing pinion 131 and thus cause the cylinder 199 to be oscil lated about tie rod 104;

In this manner and with the abrasive endless belt 112 being stretched taut over the edge to be sanded as above described, said abrasive material is reciprocated over the same whereby it is sanded smooth to thereby result in a continuous surface between said edge and adjacent surfaces of said group of books B. 7 During the interval the sanding mechanism 99, as thus described, is effective to sand the underlying surface edge of the group of books B, the latter is preferably conveyed along the aforementioned conveyor 3, said underlying surface edge being thus slowly advanced along the latter so as to be progressively sanded by said mechamsm.

Although the instant corner sanding apparatus merely shows'a single sanding mechanism 90, it will be apparent that several or more of the same may be arranged in tandem relation one to the other, the tie rods 104 thereof of each of the same being connected so as to be reciprocated or rocked about by the movement of the connected segmental gear and pinion 130 and 131 respectively, said modified apparatus being also operable so as to abrasively fabricate substantially greater port-ions of the longitudinal edge to be sanded.

After the aforementioned surface edge has been properly abrasively fabricated, the carriage may be raised in the manner as above described to thereby lift the sanding mechanism upwardly from the group of books B, the latter being thereafter rotatably adjusted within its supporting press 5 to thus position the oppositely located longitudinal edge between the remaining two surfaces (b and a) or (a and a) previously sanded whereby the same may thereafter be similarly abrasively fabricated to thus provide a substantially continuous surface between the aforesaid surfaces a, b and c and intervening corners thereof which are intended to have the decorative material secured thereto.

A- modification of corner sanding apparatus is herein shown in FIG. 6 whereby the two intervening longitudinal edges of the group of books B as is above defined, may be simultaneouslysanded to thereby overcome the necessity of repeatedly passing said group through said apparatus.

With reference now directed to FIG. 6, the modified corner sanding apparatus is seen to include a pair of sanding mechanisms 135 each'being substantially identical 7 in construction to the previous embodiment, and preferably disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor 3, being suspended from a suitable frame 136 so as to be inclined at approximately 45 degrees toward the latter.

The. group of books B is disposed within the press 5 so as to locate the surface a facing upwardly and each of the corners as defined between the latter and adjacent surfaces b and c facing. towards one of the aforesaid sanding mechanisms 1352 Each of said mechanisms 135 is lowcred at and along said incline so that the endless abrasive belt 135a thereof overlies the corner to be sanded.

The arm element 13511 of each. mechanism 135 is seen tobe connected through link 1350 to a pin 135d on one of a pair of disks1-35e,,the latter being rigidly mounted on a-shaft 135] rotatably carried within housing, 135g.

A suitable chain and sprocket drive as is indicated at 13512 is effective to rotate said shaft.

Each pin- 135d is likewise seen to be radially spaced on its associated disk 135a from its supporting shaft 135i, and is also preferably advanced degrees thereon with respect to the'other of said pins 135d, the purpose for ,whichwill be hereinafter apparent.

With" this construction it will be now realized that upon actuation of said chain and sprocket drive the abrasive endless belts 1354: of each. sanding mechanism 135 will'be oscillated over its underlying longitudinal edge of the group of books B to thus round off the same, whereby a continuous smooth surface is provided betweenthe' aforementioned: surfaces a,v b and c. With the 9 link connection between the sanding mechanisms 135 and the disk elements 135e, i.e., with the pins 1350! being approximately 180 degrees apart, the abrasive belts will be oscillated so that at any instance they will be moving in the same direction thereby preventing the aforesaid groups from rocking within its supporting frame 5.

As is previously mentioned, subsequent to sanding the aforesaid surfaces n, b and c of the group of books B, the same are thereafter preferably presented to a bufling mechanism as is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 14, whereby said surfaces are buffed to thus remove any trailings or the like from the same.

The bulflng mechanism 14 is preferably identical in construction to that of the sanding mechanism 7, and therefore a further detailed description of the buffing mechanism will not be herein given. The same reference numerals are utilized in the instant apparatus to identify similar parts. It is likewise suflice to say that in place of the abrasive endless belts 38, the bufling mechanism 14 preferably utilizes a plurality of endless belts as identified by the reference numeral 384 which may be formed of any suitable bufling material.

As is herein shown particularly in FIG. 1, the buffing mechanism 14 is preferably located so as to be suspended above the conveyor 3 and between the corner sanding mechanism 11 and pressing station 18 whereby said group surfaces may be properly cleansed of any foreign material prior to the same having the aforementioned decorative foil applied thereto. As shown diagramatically in FlG. 1, suitable exhaust enclosures as identified at B may be located at each of the aforesaid stations 1-4 inclusive to thus provide for removing the loose trailings from the associated apparatus.

The press 5 holding the group of books B is preferably supported upon its carriage 6 so as to enable all of the aforesaid surfaces a, b and c to be presented to the instant bufl ing apparatus. If desired, a suitable sizing material may also be applied to said surfaces at this time to thus enable the decorative material to more readily adhere to the same.

With said group of books B thus preliminarily prepared, whereby the aforementioned book surfaces a, b and c and the i tervening corners are thus made smooth and free of foreign material, the same is then presented to the fabricating station 5 whereupon the pressing apparatus 18 is operable to apply the decorative foil to the surface a. If desired, a suitable stain may also be applied to said surfaces at this point in the instant process.

With reference now directed particularly to FIGS. 1 and 7, the instant embodiment of pressing apparatus 18 at said station #5 is seen to include a stationary platform 14!} which preferably straddles the conveyor, said conveyor at this portion of the conveyance path P being preferably a roller-type conveyor as commonly referred to and as it identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 34.

An upright guide rod 146 is rigidly attached at its one end to the upper surface of the platform 140 preferably adjacent each of the corners thereof, said guide rods extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom and supporting a suitable fluid cylinder 148 on each of the upper ends thereof.

A platen 150 is seen to be slidably accommodated on the aforesaid guide rods 146, said platen, in turn, being rigidly connected to the free end of the movable element 143;: of said fluid cylinder 148, the latter being actuated in a manner as will be presently described to raise and/or lower said platen 158 to and fro of the platform 140.

Qn the underside surface 159:; of the platen 150 a substantially flat heating element 152 is rigidly attached so as to be movable with the same.

The heating element 152 is preferably of composite assembly comprising a highly heat conductive plate 152a upon which is carried a suitable conventional heating element which is, capable of transmitting heat to said 1% plate 152a. A suitable layer of pliable material such as soft rubber, as is indicated at 1152b, is preferably placed over the underside surface of the heat conductive plate 152a, said soft rubber layer being capable of partaking of the configuration of the surface to be gild-edged while readily permitting the transference of heat from said plate 152a to said decorative foil.

With the fluid cylinder 148 connected in fluid circuit with a suitable energy source, the same is intended to be actuated so as to drive its movable element 148a and the platen and heating element 152 carried thereby into predetermined pressure engagement with a group of books B, the latter being carried within the aforementioned clamping frame 5 and supported on the aforementioned platform 149 so as to present the surface a thereof to said platen 159 and heating element 152.

A length of decorative foil such as gold leaf or the like, as is identified by the reference character G, is laid over the surface a, being of sufficient dimension as to completely cover the latter, whereafter the platen 150 and heating element 152 are lowered by said fluid motor 148 to bring the pliable layer 152b thereof into pressure engagement with said foil. It has been determined that a pressure in the neighborhood of 1100 lbs. per square inch is preferable to provide a proper application of the metallic foil to said surface.

Although not herein shown in detail, the metallic foil G is conventional construction and comprises a layer of metallic material such as gold leaf mounted upon a suitable backing material such as a transparent film, said metallic material, in addition, having an adhesive previously applied to the under surface thereof opposite said backing material which surface is placed directly upon the surface a to be so decorated.

With this construction, the metallic foil may be secure- 1y attached to the surface a through the application of heat and pressure, after which the platen may be raised to permit the removal of the backing film from said metallic foil.

A flat plate 153 is preferably interposed between the heating element 152 and the supporting platen 150, said plate 153 being of such physical characteristics as to have a low coeflicient of heat conductivity whereby the heat generated within said elements is somewhat isolated from the platen 150 and thus retained on the plate 152a attached thereto.

Although not herein shown, suitable conventional timing devices may be utilized to automatically time the interval during which the decorative foil is attached to the aforesaid surface a. It has been determined that when using a pressure of 1100 lbs. per square inch and a heating element temperature of approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit, a time period of approximately 3 seconds is required to properly apply the decorative foil to surface a.

Subsequent to the application of the decorative foil to the surface a of the group of books B, said books as thus supported in the press 5 is then moved along the conveyor 3a to the next adjacent pressing station 6 whereby the said decorative foil material is intended to be simultaneously applied to the surfaces b and c of said group.

With reference now directed particularly to FIGS. 1 and 8, a pressing mechanism 22 is provided at station 6 and is seen to include a base 166 which is preferably disposed so as to be slightly below the plane of the conveyor 3a. A pair of upright guide rails 161 is rigidly secured to said base so as to extend substantially vertically upwardly therefrom and to extend longitudinally therealong in parallel spaced relation to each other.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the press 5 mounting the group of books B is supported on the conveyor 3a on one of its longitudinal sides with said group adjusted therein as to present the aforesaid surfaces b and C facing toward opposite sides of said conveyor. The aforementioned guide rails 161 are spaced apart a distance so as to readily accommodate the press 5 therebetween. In this manner, said press and supported group of books B are centrally positioned within the press mechanism so that the decorative material will be simultaneously applied to the afore said book surfaces b and c.

The instant embodiment of press mechanism also includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders as identified by the reference numeral 163, each of which is carried on one of a pair of mounting plates 167, the latter being of substantial mass and vertically suspended opposite one another on either side of the conveyor 3a by and between pairs of upper and lower guide rods 168 extending substantially transversely horizontally across said conveyor 3a.

Each of the hydraulic cylinders 163 is seen to be provided with a movable piston 163a.

A platen 169 is disposed adjacent to and forwardly of each mounting plate 167, each of said platens being suspended in a vertical plane from the aforesaid upper pair of guide rods 168. As seen in FIG. 8, each of said platens is attached at its upper end to a pair of trolley members 169a each of which in turn has wheels 16% rotatable upon one of the guide rods 168.

Each platen is seen to preferably centrally mount a plurality of radially spaced rib elements 170 on the rear face thereof to thus define a recess 169d therebetween.

Upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 163, each of the pistons 163a thereof is intended to enter into the aforesaid recess 169d to thus engage with the rear face of the respective platen 167 being thereby effective to slide the platen toward the group of books B deposited on the conveyor 3a.

Although not herein shown, a plurality of conventional heating elements similar to those utilized in the element 152 of the press mechanism 18 is preferably attached and/r imbedded within each of the platens 169, being likewise connected to a suitable source of electrical energy so as to be capable of supplying heat to the latter. A layer of pliable material such as is identified at 172 is attached to the face of each of the platens so as to overlie the heating elements, said layer being of such rubber composition as to provide for the transmission or conduction of heat therethrough and to the metallic foil to be attached to the aforesaid surfaces [J and c of the group of books B in the manner as will now be described.

The rib elements 170, being rigidly attached to the rear face of each platen 169, are effective to rapidly dissipate the heat from said rear face and thereby pre vent the piston 163a from being excessively heated.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the clamping frame holding the group of books B is disposed, on the conveyor 3a as is aforementioned, edgewise between the guide rails 161, the latter being preferably disposed in spaced relation to each other so as to readily accommodate said frame therebetween. As is likewise previously indicated, the group of books B is adjusted within its supporting frame so as to locate the group surfaces b and c facing toward the sides of the conveyor 3a and platens 169 disposed adjacent thereto. The guide rails 161 are preferably of such height so that when the frame 5 is disposed therebetween the under surface of said group of books B rests upon the upper edge of each of said guide rails to thus locate said frame 5 slightly above the base and conveyor 3a. In this manner, the frame 5 is prevented from being inadvertently moved along the conveyor subsequent to its being positioned for the application of decorative foil thereto.

With said group of book B thus located, a suitable length of decorative foil as is identified by the reference character G, said foil being identical to that as is above described, is then laid over the previously gild-edged surface a so as to hang downwardly over the surfaces b and 0. Small weights such as shown at 175 may be attached to the downwardly hanging portions of said foil to thus pull 12 the same taut over said surfaces to thus prevent the same from becoming wrinkled.

The hydraulic cylinders 163 are then simultaneously actuated so as to move the respective platens 16-9 towards and into pressure engagement with the surfaces to be gildedged. As before mentioned, the group of books B is preferably positioned so as to substantially centrally dis- .posed relative to said platens so that the latter engage the surfaces b and c at substantially the same time. 'It has been determined that a pressure of approximately 900 lbs. per square inch exerted on the piston 163a of each of said cylinders 163 is sufiicient to press the decorative foil into substantial engagement engagement with the underlying surfaces :for proper attachment of the same to said surfaces. With the heating elements being connected to a suitable source of electrical energy and thus supplying heat to the respective platens 169, said decorative foil is thereby attached through the combined effects of heat and pressure to said book surfaces b and c.

It has likewise been determined that when using a pressure of approximately 900 lbs. per square inch and a heating element temperaturre of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, a period of approximately 3 seconds is desirable for the proper application of said decorative foil.

At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the hydraulic cylinders 163 are each reversibly actuated so as to draw the pistons 163a away from the respective book surfaces b and 0, so as to permit said group of books B to be removed from the press mechanism and directed to the next fabrication station 7.

A suitable spring element as indicated at 168a may be connected between the mounting frame and each platen 169. Thus as the piston 163a is moved away from each platen 169 said spring element having previously been extended, is operable to draw said connected platen away from its respective surfaces of said group of books B.

As previously mentioned, the next step in the instant method of applying the decorative foil to the surfaces of the group of books B is the application of said foil to the rounded corners of said group interposed between the surfaces a and b, and a and c.

To accomplish this, the group of books B is removed from the press mechanism 22 at station 6 and carried along the aforesaid conveyor 3a to the press mechanism as is indicated by the reference character 25 which is then intended to apply decorative foil to said intervening surface edges.

For this purpose, the press mechanism 25 as may be best seen in FIGS. 1 :and 9 includes a framework indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 180, said framework having legs 181 straddling the conveyor 3a and supporting a pair of hydraulic cylinders 184 thereabove. As best seen in FIG. 8, said framework is preferably provided with frame 'members 186 each of which is seen to be connected at its one end to the rearward portion of a vise element 188 and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom toward the conveyor 3a being likewise rigidly connected at its upper end to one end of a horizontal frame member 189, said assembly being thus somewhat pyramidal in construction. Each of said frame members 186 is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately 45 and is seen to have the cylinder 184 mounted thereon, the latter being disposed in substantial perpendicular relation to its supporting frame member and thus inclined downwardly and inwardly toward said conveyor 3a, said angle of inclination therefore likewise being preferably 45 from a vertical line through said conveyor.

Although not herein shown in detail, each of the cylinders 184 is preferably adjustable relative to the conveyor 3a so as to accommodate various sizes and configurations of books 13.

Each of said cylinders 184 has a movable piston 191 which carries a platen 193. Suitable :heating elements similar to those utilized in the previous pressing apparatus at stations 5 and 6 are attached to the outer face of said 13 platens 193 being thus :capable of supplying heat to the same. A suitable pliable material such as soft rubber as is identified at 195, is also placed over said heating elements, said pliable material being of suitable composition so as to provide for the efi'icient conduction of heat therethrough.

As seen in FIG. .9, the clamping frame having the group of books B firmly held therein is disposed centrally on the conveyor 3a, said frame standing edgewise thereon, with said gi'oup of .books B adjusted therein so as to have the group surface 1 facing upwardly and the adjacent surfaces li and c facing in oppoite directions toward the sides of the instant mechanism whereby the aforesaid surface edges face toward the cylinder 184 adjacent thereto. i

The vise members 188 are each provided with a movable ram 198 which is slidably carried within stationary guides 199 substantially transversely of the conveyor 3a.

Each of said rams 198 is carried upon a screw 201, the latter in turn, being driv-in-gly connected to a suitable sprocket and chain drive as is identified at 203.

With this assembly, it is intended that with the clamping frame 5 and group of books B carried therein being properly positioned on the aforesaid conveyor 3a, each of the rams 198 may then be actuated by its connecting drive 293 so as to be carried toward and into pressure engagement with said group of books B whereby the same is securely held therebetween during the interval the decorative foil is to be applied.

With the group of books B thus held in position, suitable lengths of metallic toil G are placed over the aforesaid rounded surfaces, and the hydraulic cylinders 184 are then actuated to bring the platens 193 into pressure engagement With said foil. With the heating elements carried within the platens 193 being thence operable to supply heat to the same, the decorative foil is thereby attached to said rounded surfaces. It has been determined that with the application of approximately 250 lbs. per square inch exerted on said surfaces by the hydraulic cylinders 184 and th application of approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit a time period of .3 seconds is suflicient to properly attach said foil to said surfaces.

-At the expiration of said time period, the cylinders 184 are then reversibly actuated, and the clamping frame 5 is removed from the instant fabrication station #7 and directed to the platform 27 at the discharge station #8 whereby the group of books B is removed from said frame to thus be ready for binding or the like.

Having thus described the method of and the instant apparatus especially designed to practice the said method for edge decorating the sheet edges of books and the like, it is to be realized that the same is susceptible to various modifications and arrangements of parts without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts as are defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, means in said path for abrasively sanding the sheet edges of predetermined sides of said group to thus locate the edges along each side of said group in coplanar relation to each other, and pressure means in said path disposed in tandem relation therealong to said sanding means for applying decorative foil to said sanded edges.

2. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, a plurality of sanding means disposed at spaced intervals along said path being operable to sequentially abrasively sand predetermined sides of said group 'to thus locate the edges along each side in coplanar relation to each other and pressure means in said path disposed in tandem relation .therealong to said sanding means for applying decorative material to said sanded edges.

3. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decoratedin a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means disposed in said path and including a plurality of abrasive endless belts each having an abr-asing run movable transversely across said path being operable to abrasively sand the sheet edges of said group along its one longitudinal surface, and means in said path disposed in tandem relation therealong to said sanding means for applying decorative material to said sanded edges.

4. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material as defined in claim 3 and wherein adjacent abrasive endless belts are movable transversely across the conveyance path in opposite directions relative to each other.

5. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material as defined in claim 3 and wherein the endless abrasive belts are suspended above the conveyance path and adjustably moved into abrasing engagement with a predetermined longitudinal surface of said compact group.

6. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means along said path and including abrasive means movably disposed on opposite sides of said path and operable to simultaneously abrasively sand opposed surfaces of said group, and pressure means in said path disposed in tandem relation therealong to said abrasive means for simultaneously applying decorative foil to said sanded surfaces.

7. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising cnoveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means along said path and including a plurality of endless abrasive belts movably disposed on opposite sides of said path being operable to simultaneously abrasively sand opposed longitudinal surfaces of said group, and pressure means in said path disposed in tandem relation therealong to said endless belts for simultaneously applying decorative foil to said sanded surfaces.

8. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, as is defined in claim 7 and wherein adjacent endless belts on the same side of said conveyance path are movable in opposite directions to each other.

9. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means in said path and including an endless abrasive belt disposed along said path and engageable with the corner of said group defined between adiacent longitudinal surfaces thereof being operable to abrasively sand the same, and pressure means disposed along said path for applying decorative foil to said sanded corner.

10. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material as is defined in claim 9 and wherein said endless belt is oscillatably actuatable over said corner.

11. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means in said path and including a plurality of endless abrasive belts disposed along said path and engageable with opposed longitudinal corners of said group being thus effective to abrasively sand the same, and means for generating heat and pressure being disposed along said path in tandem relation to said abrasive means for simultaneously applying decorative foil to said sanded corners.

12. Apparatus for decorating the edges of sheet material, comprising conveyor means defining :a conveyance path, means for holding a predetermined number of sheets to be decorated in a compact group, means operable with said conveyor means for moving said holding means along said conveyance path, sanding means disposed in said path and including a plurality of abrasive endless belts each having an abrasing run movable transversely across said path and longitudinally along said sheet edges being operable to abrasively sand the sheet edges of said group along its one longitudinal surface, and means said path for generating heat and pressure being disposed in tandem relation therealong to said sanding means for applying decorative material to said sanded edges.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 221,933 Oecholi Nov. 25, 1879 413,995 Wright Oct. 29, 1889 824,671 Ritchie June 26, 1906 2,748,046 7 Works May 29, 1956 

1. APPARATUS FOR DECORATING THE EDGES OF SHEET MATERIAL, COMPRISING CONVEYOR MEANS DEFINING A CONVEYANCE PATH, MEANS FOR HOLDING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF SHEETS TO BE DECORATED IN A COMPACT GROUP, MEANS OPERABLE WITH SAID CONVEYOR MEANS FOR MOVING SAID HOLDING MEANS ALONG SAID CONVEYANCE PATH, MEANS IN SAID PATH FOR ABRASIVELY SANDING THE SHEET EDGES OF PREDETERMINED SIDES OF SAID GROUP TO THUS LOCATE THE EDGES ALONG EACH SIDE OF SAID GROUP IN COPLANAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER, AND PRESSURE MEANS IN SAID PATH DISPOSED IN TANDEM RELATION THEREALONG TO SAID SANDING MEANS FOR APPLYING DECORATIVE FOIL TO SAID SANDED EDGES. 